In all honesty, this is only a 2.5 star read. It would have rated higher if it didn't have the magical third arm/hand nor another WTF mix-up moment in it. And that really is a pity, because it's actually a very sweet story.

( )

If you're looking for a story with a terrible Dom who needs a thorough shaking for him to see sense (or strangled, whichever comes first, as far as I'm concerned), this is one story you shouldn't miss. I need to warn you though: you are likely to get very, very upset when reading it. Angsty doesn’t even come close. And even though it ends well enough to satisfy my inner romantic, the road this story made me travel until I got there was not an easy one.

Haven has suffered enough, you would think, but when he tries to make Kellen happy on Christmas Eve he is presented with an awful reaction. Not only does he end up without a collar, he also finds himself outside without proper winter clothing, and in the middle of a blizzard. His physical suffering is bad enough, but what really got to me was finding out everything he'd already been through. Abuse is a way of life for him, and even though he wasn’t physically abused by Kellen in the eight months they were together, the lack of any kind of emotion from a man he has fallen in love with is just as harsh.

Kellen is an idiot, and cruel to boot. Yes, he has his reasons, but by the time I found out what made him the man he is, it was almost too late for me to feel sorry for him. He is one tough nut to crack (much more difficult than Ebenezer in a Christmas story much like this one), and I don’t think anything short of angelic intervention could have brought Kellen back to his senses.

The secondary characters Nick (Kellen's brother, who is a really nice guy and a great Dom) and Micah (his husband/sub) as well as guardian angels Cristophe and Rafael play a major role in this "Christmas drama" as well. I liked that their points of view were included as well as the main characters'. It added depth and perspective to the story, and actually helped me understand Kellen a little better (which was sorely needed).

If you like variations on the Christmas Carol theme, if you enjoy angsty, emotionally charged stories, and if you're looking for a story about a hardened soul finding his heart and a sweet guy finding the love he so desperately wants, then you will most likely enjoy this short Christmas book as much as I did. ( )

Usually when I read BDSM themed books, the Dom is all knowing and pretty much perfect. Not so much in this story. While it was a nice change (the Dom was such an ass!), I thought it should of taken Haven alot more to trust Kellan again.

Plus, I had a WTF moment when in the middle of sex, the sub's arms are tied up and he somehow jerks off his master. But then the arms are tied again at the middle of the scene. Jerked me right out of the story (though maybe I read that part wrong, I didn't go back and double check).

Saying all that, I still enjoyed the story. Very much in the theme of Christmas and seems to deliberately jerk your emotions, but it worked (poor Haven!) for me. ( )

This is a story of hurt and brokenness and how two angels work to turn it around to hope and healing. This story was not exactly what I was expecting but it turned out to be so much better. ( )